Wellington W. Washburn

September 18, 1836, Akron, Ohio

February 10, 1901, Galesburg, Illinois

By tradition, Wellington Washburn’s family can be traced back to their arrival in England with none other than William the Conqueror.  They were also early arrivals in America, settling in Duxbury, Massachusetts circa about 1628-32.

Wellington W. Washburn apprenticed as a jeweler’s learning the watchmakers’ and jewelers’ trade which is where he made his first fortune.  He later went into banking and construction, building many prominent buildings and homes in Galesburg, Illinois. 

Fittingly, his final resting place in the Hope Cemetery in Galesburg reflected his success—a tomb fit for a prominent citizen.  Find-a-Grave posted a newspaper article about the newly built Wellington Washburn mausoleum, “S. B. Davis has just completed a fine new mausoleum for W.W. Washburn, which has been placed in Hope cemetery and has attracted much attention.  The mausoleum, which is built in the shape of a chapel, is in design and construction one of the finest in this part of the country.  The handsome design was made by E. S. Regnier, and S. B. Davis constructed the monument.  The chapel is built of Bedford limestone, trimmed with Quincy granite.  The entrance is flanked by large granite columns, and along the sides are place dummy windows.

Two great brass doors, elaborately designed, open into the corridor.  The floor is of marble tile.  Marble wainscoting extends several feet along the sides.  There are six crypts in the mausoleum, and at the head of each a large marble plate for the carving is placed.

The ceiling of the structure is of one solid stone, which is carved appreciatively, and is in keeping with the remainder.

The tomb is 14 feet by 16 feet in size, and 15 feet high.  Its cathedral-like windows are carved from black granite.  One of the most attractive features is the tower, on the northeast corner, of the Normandie style of architecture.  Over the door the name “Washburn” is craved, and on each of the bronze doors is the letter “W”.

The entire effect of the structure is beautiful, and it includes in its architecture the latest and most up-to-date style in buildings of this description.  From its location at Hope cemetery, it is easily seen from Main Street and has had the admiration of many who have seen it.”